Using My Monsters

Monday, 17 February 2014

State of Play - Arrival at Scarathane, Dark Presences, Old Allies, Fight!

30/8/1472: Three days have passed since the group left the pirate's
island and continued their journey towards Scarathane, and now, at last,
the island is within sight. A rumble of worry amongst the more
experienced men, for a plume of volcanic smoke hangs above the city -
something that should not be, for the island, though a volcano, has
slumbered for as long as memory. As the group get nearer, so the air
thickens with biting sulphuric fumes, and flakes of ash begin to fall
like snow. A subtle shift occurs in the aether, as they enter a realm of
relative dimensional stability, although strong, stinking winds, full
of fire and brimstone, begin to push against the ship's sails. By the
time the ships reach the point where they will split (the Sea Cunt will
be staying in the Porto
di Sovrani
, the most expensive but finest port located on the island's east side,
whilst the newly re-named Red Curse will be staying at the Porto
di Capitani, located on the eastern side), they can see the
city in all its hellish glory. They also see that the ports are
absolutely rammed with ships (and indeed, as they get closer, observe
two ships blasting at each other in order to try and secure a place,
only succeeding in sinking each other - leaving a nice place for them to
park). The vessels part company, and seek a place to stay.

The
warlock causes great concern by suddenly having a fit whilst stood on
deck staring at the city. On waking, he reveals that a great monstrous
energy or presence lurks beneath the volcano..something terrifying.

Having
paid for a single day only, the group decide to try and find a way of
reducing a ridiculous costs of staying in the ports. Caleph states that
the Feccia Del Mare run the ports, and tells them that by getting in
their good books, they could probably get some discount. However, as one
of the three ruling power groups in this Black Port, they will not be
easy to contact.

The group decide to split up at this point. Jaeger enters the sprawling chaos of the Città
nelle ombre di Fuoco, in the hopes of getting a feel for the
power players of the city and of finding a way of getting into contact
with the Feccia Del Mare. What he finds instead is "Narogg's Grogs", a
rough bar run by an old comrade (and Unified Order defector), Narogg
Gorebiter. Narogg (a surprisingly intelligent and charismatic Gorgoth)
is understandably worried when he first encounters the assassin,
thinking he has been sent to kill him. However, when he realises that
this is not the case, the two old allies spend some time catching up
(Narogg only has one arm now, having lost his limb to the corrosive bite
of a Thessalhydra whilst on Order business).

Narogg tells the assassin of an "entrepreneur" named Klesp
“Black Hilt” Venoo; a native to Scarathane with "a lot of dirty
little fingers in a lot of dirty little pies". He also states that for a
(hefty) price, he can arrange a sit down meeting with representatives
of the Feccia. Jaeger tells the greenskin he will discuss the options
with his allies, and returns to the SC. Narogg also tells the assassin
about the many pit fights that happen around the island, including a few
organised arenas, where warriors can quickly accumulate wealth and
fame.

(Jaeger also bore witness to an individual, insane it seemed, being captured and dragged away by some invisible thing).

Whilst
this has been going on, the rest of the group have engaged in various
activities. Varracuda has been meditating, and has realised that there
is some kind of dimensional void beneath the bowels of the volcano
(where it is rumored, the Zargor'Gigorim - Fire Giants - have a secret
temple to Zargor), which, combined with the Warlock's words earlier,
gives him cause for concern.

Thatari wanders the crowded streets
and wharfs of the lower city, allowing the thoughts of the populace to
enter him mind, looking for hints as to what may lurk beneath their
feet. He briefly touches on an utterly alien mind; babbling with
insanity - and realises that unseen things of aberrant form are lurking
amongst the unsuspecting populace. He also learns of a local cult - the
Cult of the Suffocating Flame - although he is unable to discern any
additional information.

Shnecke and Grigori persuade some ship
mates to go for a drink with them in a nameless tavern, where they
encounter a powerful brew that the scarred bar man (who only has half a
tongue) warns him is "dangerous". The Ulnyrr necks it regardless, and
then he and the priest feed on the intoxicated crewmen; leaving three of
them with the worst hangover ever, but alive...the fourth man perishing
under the combined effects of the potent brew and the undead's blood
drinking.

By nightfall, the group are back together on the ship.
They discuss their various discoveries, and decide to pay the gorgoth
to arrange a meeting with the Feccia.

23:30 - 23:55: The group
move to meet with Narogg, intending to stay at the bar overnight.
However, in an area they feel is oddly silent given the usual crowded
nature of the Città, they encounter a band of roving
Zargorim slavers, accompanied by a canine manifestation of elemental
fire. Seeing the potent group, the giant's quickly move to attack, and
the group, not too keen on becoming slaves, prepare to defend
themselves.